Lately acquired all-star heart Kristaps Porzingis is anticipated to play a giant function on the new-look Boston Celtics workforce. Sadly, he could not enter coaching camp subsequent month at 100%. Porzingis, who has had a historical past of foot and leg points, together with lacking greater than a season and a half with an ACL tear, was simply dominated out of the FIBA World Cup with plantar fasciitis.
Nonetheless, regardless of his harm historical past, he managed to remain principally wholesome final season with the Washington Wizards. Even with this newest setback, he may nonetheless assist the Celtics subsequent season, even when it’s a lingering problem.
Will plantar fasciitis’ have an effect on Kristaps Porzingis’ play for the Celtics?
Plantar fasciitis is a nagging harm that causes irritation within the heel of the foot and will trigger Porzingis to overlook video games subsequent season. Enjoying massive minutes and taking part in back-to-backs may not have been one thing that he was going to do anyway with the Celtics, nevertheless it’s extra unlikely now. Thus, it looks like a secure wager that he’ll be load-managed.
Happily, there are far worse foot accidents {that a} 7’3 massive man can have, and whereas it might sluggish him down, it shouldn’t trigger him to overlook any vital time. With Boston making a giant change by buying and selling long-time Celtic Marcus Good in a 3-team deal for Porzingis, the hope is that he can present sufficient of a lift to make a distinction after the workforce once more got here up brief within the playoffs.
After a resurgent season with the Wizards, he could very properly assist Boston as a stretch 5 who may defend the basket. His arrival additionally alerts that the Celtics will probably be relying much less on Al Horford, who’s 37 and coming into his seventeenth season within the NBA, in addition to Robert Williams.
Williams has struggled to remain wholesome, which, together with Horford’s age, led Boston to make the transfer so as to add Porzingis and increase their frontcourt. Mixed, they kind a rock-solid frontcourt that, whereas not probably the most sturdy, has sufficient versatility that coach Joe Mazula can play any two of the three at one time.
Whether or not Porzingis may also help the Celtics win all of it stays to be seen. However whereas plantar fasciitis will possible result in his lacking video games because of relaxation, he must be principally wholesome when the common season begins in October.
Printed on 08/17/2023 at 1:00 PM EDTLast up to date on 08/17/2023 at 1:00 PM EDT
